So, you are ready to book your family vacation.You hop online, find the cheapest fare for your travel dates, and book.Think you’ve gotten the best deal even though you’ve searched every rate online?Maybe not!Here are some helpful hints to consider.
Committing to the ticket
There are many places to findticket prices online.You can book directly with the airline site or use comparison websites like www.kayak.com or http://www.orbitz.com/. Each site has its won unique features and options.I will not review all of those here.Just be aware there are many places to search for rates and then factor in all my other hints.
My
personal preferred method after working in the hospitality industry is
using the comparison sites to find a great price and then booking
directly with the airline.Sometimes booking with broker sites such as Expedia makes it harder when you have to make a change to the reservations.They may charge change fees or give you a hard time if you have to cancel a flight.I just find it personally easier to deal with the companies directly.
Found the cheapest rate?Don’t book it yet!!!You need to consider these factors:
Your dates:
Try to be a day or 2 flexible with your flying dates if you can.Rates for each day of the week can be different.Typically, midweek (Tuesday – Thursday) will be cheaper.More business class folks fly on the other days.
Here is an example for a search I did for Tickets from Baltimore to Anchorage:
Sunday: $724
Monday: $688
Thursday $650
So, if you are flexible with your date dates, you can save a few bucks.
Also, some websites may offer a price guarantee.If the ticket goes on sale for a lower price, they will refund that money.Make sure you take advantage of that offer if your method of booking offers it.
Your airport:
Depending on the area you are flying in and out of, you may have airport options.I live near Philadelphia and Baltimore, so I always get prices for departures from each airport.There can be a hundred dollar difference between the two cities.Make sure you consider this for both departure and arrival cities!
For my example again on a Thursday:
Baltimore: $650
Philadelphia: $604
So, if we can fly from Philly on a Thursday instead of Baltimore on a Sunday, that is $120 dollars saved on ticket price
Luggage
Luggage is the huge hidden price that can get you.This is one of the main factors that you need to consider before you simply pick the cheapest ticket price.Since airline policies change so readily (just heard one today for United Airlines), I will not list the current policies here.Just know you should check them out before you book.
I am flying in May.My mother in law booked us the cheapest flight from Philadelphia to Montana.She did not factor in the rate to check baggage on this airline.There are 3 of us flying – My husband, 16 month old daughter and I.I am thinking we will need to check 2 -3 bags.That will cost us $60 each way.$120 in hidden fees!Perhaps an airline that does not charge for baggage would have been a cheaper option for us.
If you are flying with small kiddos, it is good to know each airline’s policies on children, especially under 2 years.Many children under age 2 may ride for free if it is on the parent’s lap.Some companies may even let you check car seats and/or bassinets for free. Diaper bags may also be checked for free.It is important to factor these things in when flying with children.It can save you money on renting this gear at your destination.
Other factors:
Always sign up for the frequent flyer programs.You may not regularly fly, but airline miles can rack up.Many Frequent Flyer Programs have additional ways you can earn miles.For example, Safeway in Alaska offers miles for Alaska Airlines.You can earn airway miles and get more bang for your grocery buck.
You may want to know what amenities your flights offer.Will dinner be served or will you have to buy something at the airport and bring it on board?Wil you have to pay for movies or other in flight entertainment?These are small factors, but may add to the price of your trip.
This is just the first in a series of articles I plan to compose about traveling cheaply.If you have any ideas that I can add or any topic suggestions, please let me know.
$1/3 Market Pantry cheeses (exclude single-serve or stacking cheese)
$.50/2 Market Pantry canned vegetables or fruits
Mobile coupons can be redeemed once for each item. (The rest of the coupons on the link are valid after you use others!) These coupons can be combined with both Manufacturer and Cartwheel savings.
Other active codes include: OFFERS - Reoccurring standard offers. BABY - Reoccurring standard baby offers. CLEAN - EXP 9/7/14 SPRING - EXP 4/23/14 THANKS - EXP 4/23/14 DECORATE - EXP 3/22/14 STORETRIP - EXP 4/5/14 APPAREL - EXP 3/22 PETS1 - EXP 3/22
Thanks to WUC for a heads up on the new code! ***When I first tried getting Target Mobile Qs, I wasn't receiving them. I
had to call GCI and get them to allow the texts. Companies like this are
sometimes marked as spam. It was a quick call to GCI customer service to
allow them.
(This total is pre-manufactuer coupons!) IBotta Deposit: $1/1 Dial Bar Soap 6 ct pack or larger Ibotta Deposit: $1/1 Dial Body Wash 11.75 oz or larger Ibotta Deposit: $0.50 When you redeem the two above Dial offers Deal Idea: Buy 4 Dial, Tone or Right Guard Body Wash - any combo, but must buy 1 Dial Body & 1 Dial 6 pack Soap = $14 Buy 1 dial Hand Soap (price varies - Try Hello Kitty Kids soap with in store coupon) = Around $1.25 (I'll update firm price when I do the deal tomorrow!) Total: 15.25 Use two $2/2 In store MQ for Dial Pay: 11.25ish Submit For:
$2.50 total in Ibotta Deposits $5 will be added to your Savingstar Account Final: $3.75ish or about 75 cents each! Buying milk this week? If you do the above deal & submit that receipt to Ibotta as well as a Milk receipt, you'll earn $0.50 for the milk and another $0.50 rebate for redeeming milk & two other offers. Score!
New to Savingstar? Savingstar is a simple rebate type program. In Alaska, it is only valid at Fred Meyer. Basically, you register your Fred Meyer card & load offers. After you buy the specified items, Savingstar will add those funds to your account. You can cash that money out for Paypal, Amazon, Starbucks, and other great offers. I've been able to save lots of additional money with Savingstar.
Ibotta works similairly, but its a little more work. You download the App on your phone. Do simple tasks to activate offers. Buy the items. Upload the reciepts. The money is deposited into an account that you can cash out for Paypal or Amazon. Love it!
A little late, but here are some Okay deals for this week at Target: Downy Unstopables - $9.99 - Buy 3 get a $10 Gift Card Idea: Buy 3 Downy Unstopables -29.97 Use (3) $1/1 Unstopables Target Q - $3.00 Use (3) $1/1 Unstopables MQ IP (zip 77477) - $3.00
I saw this deal on lower 48 deal sites and almost overlooked it. Last time I tried to order Dominos, the only Dominos in Alaska that had online ordering were the ones on base. Now the one on 5th Avenue has online ordering. YAY! I live in Eagle River, but that is easy for my husband to pick up on the way home.
I digress.
Go here and click on the banner to get 50% off any regularly priced pizza. Love a good deal on pizza!
I was surprised to see Happy Cash in our Ad for this coming week. Happy Cash seems to be like a Spring time version of "Jingle Cash." For a all the details on Happy Cash, go HERE. But Basically, spend $30, get a Coupon for $5 off your next purchase of $30. Spend $50, get a Coupon for $10 off your next purchase of $30. Happy Cash can be redeemed 3/23 - 3/29. These totals are before MQs!
Here are the good deals I see:
Shotz All Natural Energy Drink 5oz 2k - $5.00
RR: $5 wyb 1 Pay $5, get back $5 RR Total: FREE
Brut or Sure Deodorant 2-2.7oz - $1.89
Use $1/1 Sure deodorant from 3/16 SS Or $1/1 Brut deodorant from 3/6 SS Total: $.89
Colgate Max White or Fresh Toothbrush, Colgate Total Toothpaste 4.2oz, Max Fresh or Clean 6oz @ 2/$6
RR: $2 wyb 2 Use $1/1 Colgate Total, Optic Wite, Max Fresh or Sensitive toothpaste from 3/9 SS (exp 3/22/14) $2/2 Colgate productsprintable Pay $4, Get $2 RR Back Final: $1 each WYB 2
Vitamin Water, SMart Water, Fruit Water - 3/$4 1000 BRP WYB 3 Final: $1 Each WYB 3 *** Better deal is Fred Meyer through 3/15 - .89 for Vitamin Water
When I got into couponing, I made a special e-mail for all the promotions. I try to get on all the e-mail lists of the companies and products I use.
A great list to be on is Holiday. They send weekly (or maybe every two weeks) emails that have special savings inside. The above coupon is an example. It came in my email this evening. Go to www.Holidaystationstores.com to sign up for the newsletter.
If you go to holiday, be sure to sign up for the key tag and use it for all your purchases. You can earn higher gas coupons and free pop.
Head over here to request your free sample of Lipton Natural Energy Tea Drink.
I love free samples. I get to try all sorts of things. I stock up on the toiletries for traveling. They also usually come with some great coupons.
Yes they ship to Alaska!
Thanks to Couponing to Disney for the Heads up!
I was so sad to read on WUC today that beginning April 17th, the yearly rate for Amazon Prime is going up to $99 - that is a $20 increase over the current rate. This is the article about it.
I will begrudgingly pay that rate. Why? As you know, shipping rates are usually horrible to Alaska. I can get "free" (after $99) shipping here to Alaska with Amazon Prime. If I bought some of the things I do through Amazon, I'd be spending more on shipping than I do on the product.
Best Example: Utz Potato Chips. I am addicted. Its a mid Atlantic favorite. Mmmm BBQ and Crab Chips! To Order 3 Family Bags of Chips it would be $12.47 (worth it) Plus $40.32 Shipping - Not Worth it! I discovered that from time to time Amazon has Utz chips as an add on item. Shipping is free. Two orders pays for my Amazon Prime membership!
I hate to sound like a commercial for Amazon, but I really think Alaskans should have Amazon Prime. I've gotten tons of things from them ranging from diapers, wipes, baby formula, canned goods, movies, and the list goes on.
Right now Amazon has a free Amazon Prime Trial for 30 Days. If you take advantage of the trial before March 20th, you get locked in to the $79 rate. If you have been interested in Amazon Prime, now is the time to do it!
**Disclaimer - If you sign up through my link provided, I will get a tiny kick back, but I'm not posting this for money. I am posting it so you can take advantage of the price. I would never post anything on this page that I don't personally use!
Head on over to Savingstar and load an offer good for 20% off Cabbage. I love these weekly healthy offers.
New to Savingstar? Savingstar is a simple rebate type program. In Alaska, it is only valid at Fred Meyer. Basically, you register your Fred Meyer card & load offers. After you buy the specified items, Savingstar will add those funds to your account. You can cash that money out for Paypal, Amazon, Starbucks, and other great offers. I've been able to save lots of additional money with Savingstar.
I'm gonna try out the above recipe from SkinnyTaste! Thanks Pinterest!
Text Thanks to 827438 and you'll get the coupons below.
Target Mobile coupons can be combined with both Cartwheel and Manufactuer Coupons. Love the triple stacks!
$1/1 25oz+ Palmolive
$.75/1 16oz+ Listerine
$1/1 Kashi multiserve item
$1/2 Trident Multipacks
$.75/1 5.5oz+ Wheat Thins
$2/2 Gain or Tide detergents
$1/2 of the following: 3 pack + Puff's tissue, 6pack+ Bounty paper towels, or 9 pack + Charmin bath tissue
$2/2 Bounce, Downy, or Gain Fabric softener or Scent Booster
$2/2 Pampers: 168+ wipes or 21+ count diapers
$1/2 gain air fresheners
$.75/2 Ziploc
$1/$1 Fresh Fruit
$1/$1 Fresh Vegetables
$1/$1 Fresh Meat
$.50/1 1/2 dozen or larger eggs
$1/3 Simply Balanced Yogurt
$1/2 5oz+ Market Pantry Cheese
Other Active Target Mobile Coupon Codes:
UpandUp
Baby
Spring
When I first tried getting Target Mobile Qs, I wasn't receiving them. I had to call GCI and get them to allow the texts. Companies like this are sometimes marked as spam. It was a quick call to customer service to allow them.
Go Here to get a $1/1 Franz Bakery Product Coupon.
You can also sign up to be on their mailing list. I have a spam email I use to sign up for the mailing lists for all the products I use. You never know when they are going to send coupons to their biggest fans!
Bread coupons are pretty rare. I normally buy all my bread on clearance at Fred Meyer. It freezes just fine!
You never know where you are going to find coupons. I found this one checking weather.com to see if the now is supposed to hit us!
New to Savingstar? Savingstar is a simple rebate type program. In Alaska, it is only valid at Fred Meyer. Basically, you register your Fred Meyer card & load offers. After you buy the specified items, Savingstar will add those funds to your account. You can cash that money out for Paypal, Amazon, Starbucks, and other great offers. I've been able to save lots of additional money with Savingstar.
Be Sure to sign into your Fred Meyer Account and Load your coupon for a free Muller Yogurt. It can only be loaded today, but you have two weeks to redeem it.
FREE Müller Yogurt RECEIVE ONE (1) FREE Müller Corner or Greek Corner (5.3 oz.)
ONLY AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD ON 3/7/2014
Limit of one coupon per item. Digital coupons and paper coupons may not be combined on the purchase of a single item.
Text "UPANDUP" to 827438. You'll get a mobile coupon for $15 off a $40 Up&Up purchase. It expires 3/15.
You can combine this with lots of discounts from Cartwheel. Find all the items Here.
Other Current Target Mobile Codes to text to 82738 for more savings:
SPRING
STOCKUP
Note to GCI Customers:
When I first tried getting Target Mobile Qs, I wasn't receiving them. I had to call GCI and get them to allow the texts. companies like this are sometimes marked as spam. It was a quick call to customer service to allow them.
Here are a list of $5 Friday Items with Coupon Match ups for this Friday.
Primo Taglio Ham off the Bone or Medium Cheddar Cheese - $5.00/lb
Rancher's Reserve Beef Loin New York Strip Steak Bone In - $5.00/lb
Signature Cafe Express Special - $5.00 Jennie-O Turkey Store Turkey Bacon or Rolls 12-16 oz - 3/$5.00 (Or $1.67 each)
Tyson Day Starts Breakfast Sandwiches 9-18 oz - $5.00 $0.75/1 Tyson Day Starts Breakfast Sandwich, exp. 5/21/14 (ALL YOUMar '14) Final Price: $4.25 each
Hot Pockets 5 pk - $5.00 Safeway Kitchens Fish & Chips 28 oz - $5.00
Waterfront Bistro Medium Raw Shrimp 51-60 ct - $5.00/lb
Debi Lilly Design Mini Chic Rose Bouquet - $5.00
Safeway Giant Hamburger Rolls - 2/$5
Signature Cafe Family Size cheese Pizza 37.7 oz - $5.00
Stouffer's Family Size Frozen Entrees 31-40 oz - $5.00 $1/1 Stouffer's Family Size, Large Family Size, or Party Size Entree, exp. 4/30/14 (RP 01/26/14 #2) Final Price: $4.00 each
2-lb. Clamshell Mystic Treat Grapes - $5
Haagen Dazs Ice Cream 14 oz - 2/$5.00 (Or $2.50 each) Kellogg's Eggo Waffles 23.2-29.6 oz or Special K Flatbread Sandwiches 13.4-16.4 oz - $5.00
Nabisco Oreo or Chips Ahoy! Family Size Cookies 18.2-20 oz - 2/$5.00 (Or $2.50 each) $0.75/2 Oreo Packages, exp. 3/28/14 (SS 02/09/14) $1/3 Nabisco Cookie or Cracker Product, exp. 3/8/14 (SS 01/26/14 R) $0.75/2 Nabisco Cookie or Cracker Product, exp. 3/8/14 (SS 01/26/14) Final Price: $2.13 each WYB 2
2lb pack Strawberries - $5
Safeway SELECT® Artisan Cake Slices - 3/$5
Hershey's XL Bars or Cadbury Bars 3.5-4.4 oz - 4/$5.00 (Or $1.25 each)
Betty Crocker Cake Mix 15.25-16.25 oz or Brownie Mix 18.3-20.5 oz - 5/$5.00 (Or $1.00 each)
Lipton Tea Gallon - 2/$5.00 (Or $2.50 each)
Chicken of the Sea Pink Salmon or Chunk Light Tuna 5 oz - 5/$5.00 (Or $1.00 each)
Campbell's Chunky Soup 18.6-19 oz or Bowls 15.25 oz - 3/$5.00 (Or $1.67 each) $0.50/2 Campbell's Chunky Soup, Chilis and Bowls, exp. 4/6/14 (SS 02/09/14 R) $1/4 Campbell's Chunky Soup, Chilis and Bowls, exp. 4/6/14 (SS 02/09/14 R) Final Price: $1.42 each WYB 2
Quaker Chewy Granola 8 ct or Safeway Kitchens Shredded Wheat Cereal 16.4 oz - 2/$5.00 (Or $2.50 each)
Safeway Select Coffee 10-12 oz or O Organics Coffee 10 oz or Pods 12 ct - $5.00
Luvs or Mom to Mom Jumbo Pack Diapers 21-50 ct, Kiddie Ups Training Pants 19-23 ct, or Pampers or Huggies 3x Wipes 168-216 ct - $5.00 $1/1 Luvs Diapers printable $1 off Luvs Diapers, exp. 3/31/14 (P&G 03/02/14) $0.50/1 Pampers Wipes printable $0.50/1 Pampers Wipes, exp. 3/31/14 (P&G 03/02/14) Final Price: $4.00 each
Dove Skin Care 6 ct Bar or 18 ozBody Wash, Nice'N Easy Hair Color 1 Box or Fructis Hair Care 25.4 oz - $5.00
FREE Clairol Nice 'N Easy Root Touch-Up WYB Clairol Nice 'N Easy Base Hair Color, exp. 3/16/14 (P&G 03/02/14) $1/1 Dove Beauty Bars, exp. 3/30/14 (RP 03/02/14 R) $1/1 DoveBody Wash, exp. 3/30/14 (RP 03/02/14 R) $1/1 Garnier Fructis Shampoo, Conditioner or Treatment, exp. 3/15/14 (RP 02/02/14) $2/1 Garnier Shampoo, Conditioner, Treatment or Style Product, exp. 4/12/14 (RP 03/02/14 R) Final Price: $3.00 each